Quantum gravity observed at CERN's ALPHA-g
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Physicists at the ALPHA-g experiment in CERN have just observed how gravity pulls on quantum particles.
The team used atoms cooled to nearly absolute zero. In this state, atoms act more like ripples in a pond than solid billiard balls. Researchers split the atom’s quantum wave, letting one part fall while holding the other still. Bringing the waves back together showed exactly how gravity shifted the falling piece.
🧪
For centuries, we have measured gravity by watching how it moves large objects, like planets or dropped keys, following Einstein’s weak equivalence principle. Before this, we had never confirmed that these same rules apply when matter behaves as a quantum wave. This experiment finally bridges the gap between everyday gravity and the invisible world of quantum mechanics.
🌌
#quantumphysics #cern #science
ScienceDaily: Technology
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⚛️
Physicists at the ALPHA-g experiment in CERN have just observed how gravity pulls on quantum particles.
The team used atoms cooled to nearly absolute zero. In this state, atoms act more like ripples in a pond than solid billiard balls. Researchers split the atom’s quantum wave, letting one part fall while holding the other still. Bringing the waves back together showed exactly how gravity shifted the falling piece.
🧪
For centuries, we have measured gravity by watching how it moves large objects, like planets or dropped keys, following Einstein’s weak equivalence principle. Before this, we had never confirmed that these same rules apply when matter behaves as a quantum wave. This experiment finally bridges the gap between everyday gravity and the invisible world of quantum mechanics.
🌌
Even the smallest particles cannot escape gravity.
#quantumphysics #cern #science
ScienceDaily: Technology
Subscribe